The North Gonja District Assembly has presented 20 life jackets to canoe operators at the Daboya Riverside as part of measures to improve safety and prevent further loss of lives on the river.

The intervention follows appeals from residents and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) after a recent canoe tragedy in the area heightened concerns over the safety of commuters who depend on canoes to cross the river.

The life jackets were presented by the District Chief Executive for North Gonja, Hon. Abdulai Nashiru, to canoe operators and officials of NADMO at Daboya.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Hon. Nashiru urged canoe paddlers and passengers to make proper and consistent use of the life jackets, stressing that safety must remain a priority for everyone who relies on the river for transportation.

He appealed to the canoe operators to ensure that passengers wear the jackets before embarking on any crossing, particularly at a time when water levels remain high.

Touching on the ongoing construction of the Daboya Bridge, the DCE expressed concern about the slow pace of work. He noted that the project was initially expected to be completed in September, but rising water levels occasioned by the spillage of the Bagre Dam have affected the progress of construction.

Hon. Nashiru consequently appealed to the contractor, Maripoma Enterprise Limited, to expedite work on the bridge to ease the transportation challenges confronting residents and commuters.

The Deputy Director of NADMO for the North Gonja District, Mr. Yakubu Eliasu, also took the canoe operators through the proper use of the life jackets and educated them on other precautionary measures necessary to prevent accidents and disasters on the river.

He encouraged operators to strictly observe safety protocols and ensure that passengers comply with instructions before and during crossings.

A regular commuter on the river, Saeed Kagbal, expressed appreciation to the North Gonja District Assembly for the intervention, describing the donation as timely. He appealed to other institutions, organisations and individuals to support efforts aimed at improving safety and protecting lives at the Daboya crossing point.

The Assembly Member for the Daboya East Electoral Area, Hon. Issahaku Gyan, cautioned passengers against taking the life jackets away after crossing the river. He warned that anyone found leaving the crossing point with a life jacket would be apprehended and dealt with accordingly.

The presentation ceremony was witnessed by residents, officials of the North Gonja District Assembly, NADMO personnel, political leaders and traditional authorities, including Chief Nabengu Wura, who represented the Wasipe Wura Palace.

The donation is expected to strengthen safety measures at the Daboya Riverside while residents await the completion of the bridge, which is anticipated to provide a safer and more reliable means of crossing the river.

Report By: Saeed Kagbal